‘Chieftain’s Caves’, Part One, Chapter 1

1. Scotland

Roll original 1982 Peter Davison opening credits

SCENE #1 – EXT – STIRLING BRIDGE, SCOTLAND – DAY, MORNINGAt Stirling Bridge in Scotland, an army of English knights slowly makes its way across the bridge to reach the north bank of the River Forth. A small army of Scots wait for them on the other side. Among them are Hamish and Duncan, who watch the slow progress of the English army approaching them.

DUNCAN
“I’m off! And if you don’t come, then I’ll leave you to fight them! Then you shall see it was wise to be free by going home!”

HAMISH
“Do you want to be branded as a coward, Duncan?”

A horn then blows out loud, as a rider on horseback makes his way through the Scottish forces to reach the front line.

HAMISH(cries) “Hark! Look who comes!”

DUNCAN
“Who? Who is it?”

HAMISH
“It’s him! The man himself! The man who killed many English men! Wallace himself!”

DUNCAN(surprised) “Oh! I expected him to be taller!”

SCENE #2 – EXT – CULLODEN, SCOTLAND – DAY, MORNINGAt the Culloden moors in Scotland, another battle takes place on a rainy day. The English army of Redcoats fight against the Jacobean Scottish army. Swords clash against each other and muskets fire whilst the battle ensues. In amidst this battle, a fight between a Jacobean Scot named Alistair and a Redcoat takes place. Alistair is relentless, but he miscalculates a move from his opponent and falls to the ground. The Redcoat is about to strike his sword on him, before he gets stabbed in the back by a spear and cries out in pain. The Redcoat falls to the ground and the spear gets taken out by another Jacobean Scot called Ewan.

Ewan looks behind and sees another Redcoat make a shot at him. Ewan ducks before he charges, howling and strikes the Redcoat in the leg with his dagger. The Redcoat grinds his teeth before he falls to the ground, dead. Alistair gets up and runs over to help Ewan.

ALISTAIR
“I hope I haven’t disappointed you by returning the favour.”

EWAN
“It’s earned me well. I’m much obliged to you, good man!”

ALISTAIR
“Alistair’s my name! Alistair MacDonald!”

EWAN
“Oh aye! I’m Ewan…from Chisholm!”

Alistair and Ewan shake hands, before they duck as a Redcoat gets thrown over their heads.

EWAN
“You’re part of the battalions that MacDonald has rounded up for today! Which one are you?”

ALISTAIR
“Third.” (Pause) “You’re of one of the battalions from Chisholm, aren’t you?! And a small one at that!”

EWAN
“Aye! Been up there on the moors since the battle started! It’s teemed down with rain since then! Fine Scottish weather!”

ALISTAIR
“I was expecting Murray to advance on these redcoats in a northerly direction when it began!”

EWAN
“Did you? So did I”

ALISTAIR(urgently) “Here comes a few more!”

Another few more Redcoats make their advance on Alistair and Ewan where they stand. As the Redcoats strike with their cutlasses, Alistair and Ewan strike back with theirs. Eventually they dodge the Redcoats’ blows and Alistair and Ewan strike them dead. Once the Redcoats have fallen, Alistair and Ewan resume their conversation.

EWAN
“Sorry for that, laddie! You were saying…?”

ALISTAIR
“I didn’t expect Murray to take us into three battalions and move the brigade down the moor! It was astonishing that he knew the Leanach enclosure would be an obstacle in our victory! But it’s hard to tell when this day will ever end!”

EWAN
“Well fear not, MacDonald! With your clan and mine, as well as the Maclean, the Maclachlans, Monaltrie’s regiment, Lord Lovat, Ardsheal, Lochiel, that Atholl Brigade…and even your former foes, the Mackintoshes…”

ALISTAIR(finishes) “…we can still win the fight on the Culloden moors! Even if there have to be selfish Lowlanders to fight with us Highlanders!”

EWAN
“Och, never mind them! Let’s get in there and slit some Redcoats’ throats!”

ALISTAIR
“Right, Ewan!” (cries) “Fraoch Eilean!!!”

With Alistair making his MacDonald battle cry in Gaelic, both he and Alistair rejoin the battle. They charge with their drawn cutlasses against the English army, whilst other Jacobean Scots charging against them too.

SCENE #3 – EXT – GREAT GLEN, SCOTLAND – DAY, MORNINGMeanwhile, a small starliner journeys over the plains of the southern great glen of Scotland. The starliner passes over a loch, as its warp engines slow to impulse and leave a trail of plasma energy behind them.

SCENE #4 – INT – LOUNGE DECK, ROID STARLINER – DAY, MORNINGThe starliner belongs to a family branch called the Roid. On board the starliner are Ches of Roid and his wife Cari. They’ve come from the Racta Moon of the western galaxies and being escorted to a certain destination in Scotland. Ches and Cari sit in the lounge on the lounge deck of the ship. Ches sighs with contentment, as he drinks a refreshing glass of Scottish whisky malt in his hand.

CHES(contended) “Ah! The finest malt ever made since the heyday of fine malts by the MacDonald family! Didn’t I always say so, my dear?”

CARI
“We seem to be alright whilst travelling through the Gillian Boundary, Ches. We’re on a stable course. There was no need for the captain to warn us about fastening our safety belts!”

CHES
“They do wonders this crew, Cari! It’s much appreciated that they are concerned for our safety as we make for the home of your forefathers!”

CARI
“It is a shame that my sister Myr couldn’t join us! She could have done with a break!”

CHES
“Ah well. Maybe your sister will come later on! The MacDonald boys certainly have an eye for her!”

CARI
“There will be only one MacDonald boy there, Ches. Jeremy.”

CHES
“Jeremy? Oh.”

CARI
“Besides. The other boys aren’t that slim.”

CHES
“Now, now, Cari. We’ve been to the home of the Clan Donald a number of times! Never have I thought those other boys to be plump!”

CARI
“They’re not plump, Ches! I never said they were plump! They’re just…big!”

CHES
“Well, I’m sure looking forward to the grouse shooting when we get there! I hope to ask the Chief Henry MacDonald for a kilt…or at least a tartan!”

CARI
“You won’t be able to persuade him to give you one of those freely, dear. We’re not exactly of their blood in case you haven’t noticed.”

CHES
“Not of their blood? But I thought your father was a Scot.”

CARI
“I was born in Scotland when my mother married a Highlander. But that was when I was a little girl. And I’ve been far away from it since then. I can’t think they’ll accept me so readily being of descent and lineage on what they would consider proper on those terms.”

CHES
“The Highland air will remind us of that, Cari. Do not be so downhearted. We may not be a clan, but we certainly are a family.”

SCENE #5 – INT – EILEAN DONAN CASTLE, SCOTLAND – DAY, MORNINGIn Eilean Donan Castle, Henry MacDonald sits in the banqueting hall. Henry is the Chieftain of the MacDonald clan and is currently laird of Eilean Donan Castle. He is content as he reads his newspaper whilst having breakfast. He lets out a relaxed sigh, as there is a nostalgic atmosphere in the air. The door then opens, as his wife Maggie enters. Henry folds his newspaper up once he sees his wife.

HENRY
“Ah! Maggie, my dear! Did you sleep well? I feel wonderful after that bun fight at Kilwhillie’s!”

MAGGIE
“No, Henry my dear! I haven’t slept well at all! I feel so anxious!”

HENRY
“Rubbish, my dear! Have some eggs and bacon to put your mind off it!”

Maggie sighs as she goes over to the breakfast buffet table. She starts picking up lids off from containers as she selects breakfast items such as sausages, eggs and bacon.

HENRY
“What is it that’s troubling you, dear?”

Maggie slams one of lids down on a breakfast container irritated, before she composes herself.

HENRY
“No need to get hoity-toity, dear!”

MAGGIE
“Sorry, Henry.”

Maggie makes her way to the dining table, carrying her breakfast with her, as she joins her husband.

MAGGIE
“I didn’t say it was a feud. It’s just a little inconsistency!”

HENRY
“Well…when a true descendant of MacDonald returns to his or her homeland, she’s bound to feel the Scottish air and take in the breathtaking mountains and moors! I certainly look forward to the Twelfth of August and express those feelings! So will Roid too – Mr. Roid, I mean.”

Just then, the door opens and a young man called Jeremy enters. Jeremy happens to be the son of Henry and Maggie MacDonald.

JEREMY
“Hello, mother; father.”

MAGGIE
“Hello, dear.”

Henry grunts once he sees his son.

JEREMY
“Right! Well, I’m just going to the village to pick up some stamps. I might be a long time.”

MAGGIE
“Don’t you want any breakfast, dear?”

JEREMY(hesitantly) “No thank you, mother. I’ll eat something later.”

HENRY(challengingly) “What do you need to get some stamps for, son?”

JEREMY
“To post some letters, father. Why else would I need them?”

HENRY(challengingly) “I don’t see them!”

JEREMY
“What?”

HENRY(challengingly) “The letters! I don’t see them!”

JEREMY
“They’re out in the porch, father!”

HENRY(challengingly) “You’re not going to see that Mackintosh girl again, are you?”

MAGGIE
“Now don’t be silly, Henry darling!”

HENRY(angrily) “I will not have that boy of ours…a son of MacDonald…courting a young lady…who happens to be a member of a clan we still have unfinished feuds with!”

JEREMY
“For heaven’s sake, father! The great wars of Scotland’s dark ages are over! There’s nothing wrong with being friendly to old enemies!”

HENRY
“You may think there’s nothing wrong with it son, but it’s always best to keep your guard!”

JEREMY(frustrated) “I’m going out! See you mother; father!”

Jeremy storms off out of the dining room, slamming the door behind him.

HENRY(bewildered) “What’s the matter with that boy of ours?”

MAGGIE
“You’re his father, dear.”

HENRY(protests) “I had nothing to do with his upbringing!” (Pause) “It was the Mackintoshes who lost us at Culloden!”

SCENE #6 – EXT – CULLODEN, SCOTLAND – DAY, MORNINGBack at Culloden, the Jacobean Scottish forces charge on the right wing of the battlefield. This side is occupied by the Chisholms, the Macleans, the Maclachlans and…the MacDonalds. Alistair and Ewan are among that group.

EWAN
“I pray that Bonnie Prince Charlie will be proud of this charge we make!”

ALISTAIR(chuckles) “I’m glad we didn’t have to fight on the left wing! That boggy ground certainly would have taken us down!”

EWAN
“I hope we’ll get past that boggy land in time for you and your clan to get back on the left to corner off the Redcoats before they reach us!”

ALISTAIR
“So do I. They haven’t done well so far! We killed most of their regiments!”

EWAN
“May God bless us so that we can fight on till we go home!”

ALISTAIR
“My wife’s cooking me a fine broth!”

EWAN
“Och aye?! All I’ve got is bread and cheese!”

ALISTAIR
“Can you lend me some when we get out of this?”

EWAN
“It’s at Stirling.”

ALISTAIR
“Terrific!”

EWAN
“Hark now! We must keep our focus! The Redcoats are coming now!”

They look to see Redcoats approaching. On the Scottish side, war cries echo and the pipers play their bagpipes.

ALISTAIR(cheers) “That’s the sound of my clan! There they go! They’re going to the left side where the bog was! I must join them!” (to Ewan) “Farewell, Ewan!”

EWAN
“Farewell, Alistair!”

Once they’ve said farewell, Alistair and Ewan charge up on different sides of the battlefield.

SCENE #7 – EXT – STIRLING BRIDGE, SCOTLAND – DAY, MORNINGMeanwhile, another Scottish army fights the English forces at Stirling Bridge. This battle has been going on for quite some time. Apparently the English are winning over the Scots. The English gloat and laugh, having the upper hand, whilst the Scots get stabbed and beheaded. Hamish and Duncan are fighting together on this battlefield.

DUNCAN(exhausted) “I don’t understand, Hamish! Wallace said we were fighting for our freedom!”

HAMISH(exhausted) “That we are, Hamish! That we are!”

DUNCAN(exhausted) “Then why is it that we see corpses of our own men upon the grass?!”

Duncan manages to dodge one of the English soldiers striking a sword at him. Duncan then cuts the English soldier’s arm off with his sword. The English soldier cries out in pain, before he gets beheaded. Duncan becomes exhausted once again, as he drops his sword to the ground. Hamish helps Duncan up.

Suddenly, Hamish gets stabbed in the back. He falls to the ground dead.

DUNCAN(horrified) “Hamish! NO!”

Duncan runs over to Hamish as he takes him into his arms and cradles him.

DUNCAN(cries) “No Hamish, no! You can’t! You can’t be dead already! YOU CAN’T!”

Duncan mourns for his friend, before he looks up to see all of the Scots dying around him, as they get constantly killed by the English soldiers.

DUNCAN(yells) “DEATH! DEATH! DEATH TAKES US ALL!”

Duncan continues to mourn for Hamish, before he hears a cry from one of the Scottish soldiers being brutally murdered. The English soldiers laugh out loud mockingly, whilst Duncan becomes enraged. He then stands up, laying Hamish to rest, before he draws his sword out from his sheath to combat his foes.

DUNCAN(cries) “I will not be wiped out! Not without honour!”

Duncan howls, as he charges forward at the English to make a last stand.

DUNCAN(yells) “FREEDOM!!!”

SCENE #8 – EXT – CULLODEN, SCOTLAND – DAY, MORNINGMeanwhile at Culloden, the Scotsmen cheer in glory and triumph as they’ve won the day and defeated their foes.

EWAN(cheers) “We did it! WE DID IT! We’ve won the battle! Culloden is ours!”

Every Scottish clan members cheers out in triumph over their victory. Alistair then steps forward.

ALISTAIR(cheers; out loud) “Hail to Bonnie Prince Charlie! Hail to the MacDonalds! Hail to the Chisholms! Hail to the Mackintoshes, the Macleans, the Maclachlans and all who have been present on the field of battle today! The Jacobites have won! Scotland…is free once more!”

Everyone cries and cheers in glory, as they hear Alistair’s words. Suddenly, their cheers die out as they all faint to the ground and pass out unconscious. The field of Culloden becomes death-like with all the Scots and Redcoat on the ground unconscious. Just then, a strange whirring noise occurs s it blares out all over the battlefield. Something then swallows up all the Scots and the Redcoats before the field become empty. The whirring noise eventually stops and a faint breeze occurs in the air.

SCENE #9 – EXT – STIRLING BRIDGE, SCOTLAND – DAY, MORNINGBack at Stirling Bridge, all the Scottish and English forces pass out unconscious too. The English, who were laughing, become tired out as they collapse. Duncan, remains on his last moments of consciousness, as he hasn’t easily succumbed to passing out.

But before Duncan can finish what he’s saying, a strange whirring noise occurs as it blares all over Stirling.

DUNCAN(dazed) “Aye! A wee white light! A great…wee…white…”

Duncan then passes out unconscious, as the white light swallows up the Scots and the English in Stirling. Stirling also become empty as the whirring noise eventually stops. A faint breeze occurs with Salvador’s evil mocking laughter echoing in the air.

SCENE #10 – EXT – TIME VORTEX – N/AMeanwhile, in the time vortex, the TARDIS makes its journey as it spins through time and space.

SCENE #11 – INT – TARDIS CONSOLE ROOM – N/AIn the TARDIS console room, the Doctor works hard at the console, monitoring the systems and checking the scanners. He presses a few switches as he quietly mutters to himself.

Just then, a small alarm goes off. The Doctor goes over to another one of the console panels to check.

DOCTOR(gradually) “That’s strange.”

The Doctor then bangs his fist on the TARDIS console, before he reacts in pain. He then resorts to flicking switches to sort out this fault. Despite this however, the small alarm rings out loud.

DOCTOR(thinks) “Hmm. The fault locator seems to be identifying a few faulty components. The quantum accelerator; the light-speed overdrive and the helmic regulator.”

The Doctor then goes underneath the console to check the connections. But before he does anything further, he stops to thinks for a moment. He then rises up back up from the floor and places his hands on top of the console.

DOCTOR(apprehensively) “I have to find him soon! Find out what he wants!” (Pause) “I need to warn Nyssa and Billy about this!” (puzzled) “But where have they got to?”

BILLY
“He is our friend! He deserves to know! I think we should tell him! About us! Don’t you?”

NYSSA(contemplates) “I just…I don’t want to tell him anything about us just yet, Billy.”

BILLY(surprised) “Why not? I thought you might want to!”

NYSSA(gradually) “I want things to be as they are for the time being, Billy. Not have interference from anybody.” (Pause) “This is our relationship, Billy! Between us. It can be ours for as long as we want! No-one has to know about us! No-one has to know or share!”

BILLY
“And that includes the Doctor?”

NYSSA
“Yes.”

BILLY(happily) “But, Nyssa! This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me!” (Pause) “I mean…I want everyone to know! I want the whole universe to know! That I, Billy Walker, have fallen in love with the beautiful Nyssa of Traken. And that she loves me too!”

NYSSA(coolly) “Be careful, Billy! There are those who are our enemies and they may want to kill us or mock us if they hear we’re together!”

BILLY
“You know what I mean, Nyssa!” (Pause) “I just feel I want to tell someone about this! And…I’m sure the Doctor would like to know you and I are together too!”

Moment of silence, as Nyssa stands up from her bed and moves away from Billy to think. Billy watches Nyssa whilst he sits on the bed.

NYSSA
“I just feel…reluctant to tell the Doctor anything about us, Billy!” (Pause) “I don’t think we ought to tell him just yet.”

BILLY
“I don’t see why we need to be [secretive…”]

NYSSA(interrupts) “Please, Billy! Can we just keep it a secret for the time being? I really feel we need to keep this to ourselves. We can tell the Doctor in due time.”

Another moment of silence.

BILLY(slightly disappointed) “Yeah okay. That’s fine.”

NYSSA
“You’re disappointed with me, aren’t you?”

BILLY
“No. I just thought…well, you know. Since you and he were…close, I mean…you’ve known him longer than I have and…well…I thought you’d like him to know firsthand about us. You confide in him about things, you see.”

Nyssa then sighs, as she’s unable to justify herself. Another moment of silence.

BILLY
“Okay, Nyssa. I won’t tell the Doctor. We’ll keep what we have a secret if that’s what you want.”

NYSSA(gradually) “Thank you, Billy.”

BILLY
“But we’ll have to tell him sometime. We can’t hold it off forever.”

NYSSA
“Of course.” (happily) “Come here.”

Nyssa then sits by Billy on the bed again, as she takes his hands in hers. She then kisses Billy as they embrace each other into a warm hug. They eventually stop kissing each other, but still hold each other in their embrace.

BILLY(happily) “You’re so beautiful, Nyssa!”

NYSSA(happily) “Thank you. And you’re handsome!”

Billy laughs happily before he and Nyssa kiss again. Eventually Billy sees something on the bed next to them.

Another moment of silence, before Nyssa and Billy kiss each other again.

SCENE #13 – EXT – EILEAN DONAN CASTLE, SCOTLAND – DAY, MORNINGBack in Scotland, on a new summer’s day at the main gate of Eilean Donan Castle, Henry and Maggie MacDonald await for the arrival of their new guests. A stylish Mercedes approaches the main gate. The car soon comes to a halt as the driver eventually gets out and runs round to the passenger door. The driver opens the passenger door and Ches and Cari of Roid step out. They make their way forward to meet the MacDonalds.

CHES(cheerfully) “The laird of MacDonald! And his good lady wife!”

HENRY(delighted) “Roid! How good of you and your wife Cari to come and visit us again!”

CHES
“It’s good to see you too, Henry!”

Henry laughs heartily as he and Ches shake hands.

CHES
“And you, Maggie! It’s good to see you too!”

MAGGIE
“We’re so pleased you and wife could come again after such a long time, Mr. Roid!”

HENRY
“Nonsense! It’s traditional for a Scotsman to feel the blood boil when he knows the Twelfth of August is at hand!”

MAGGIE(to Cari) “How are you, Mrs. Roid? Did you and your husband have a safe journey?”

CARI
“Yes! We sure did! It was rather bumpy when we passed the borders!”

HENRY
“Ach that’s to be expected, my dear! The highlands may be rugged but the borders of Scottish territory are treacherous!”

CHES
“Will we be joined by anyone else on our venture, Henry?”

HENRY
“We certainly will! We have all the shooters gathered inside!”

Just then, they’re interrupted as Hugo Kilwhillie comes out to meet them. Henry turns to see him.

HENRY
“Ah! Hugo, my man!” (to Ches) “Roid, this is a good friend; neighbour and comrade of mine! Hugo Kilwhillie!” (to Hugo) “Hugo, this is Roid and his good lady wife from Racta! They’ve come to join us for the grouse shooting!”

HUGO(proudly) “Charmed, I’m sure.”

CHES
“Likewise, sir.”

HENRY
“They’ve also come to buy a property in order to settle here! Mrs. Cari Roid is, after all, a descendent of the MacDonald family!”

MAGGIE(stresses) “Henry, dear!”

HUGO
“Really?!” (Pause) “Well in that case, it gives me great opportunity to offer you some properties, Mr. and Mrs. Roid! I have some in my possession which I’m sure you’ll both like!”

CHES
“Really?! Oh that would be splendid.”

HUGO
“When we’ve finished the grouse shooting, we’ll sort out some arrangements to look at properties.”

Just then, Scottish bagpipe music is played loudly as it echoes across the entire glen.

HENRY
“Ah! There goes the song of the bagpipes! It signifies…yes, it signifies a special moment!” (to Ches) “Come inside, Roid!”

CHES(curiously) “Where are we going, Henry? I like the sound of pipes! Who’s playing them and what they are for?”

HENRY
“We go to see a spectacle! A spectacle of Scottish heritage! You shall witness one of our greatest failures turning into one of our greatest successes!”

With that, Henry leads Ches inside Eilean Donan Castle. Maggie and Hugo follow them inside whilst the bagpipes are being played, echoing out loud across the glen.

SCENE #14 – EXT – FALLS OF GLOMACH, SCOTLAND – DAY, MORNINGAt the falls of Glomach in the Scottish highlands, Jeremy MacDonald walks on the side of the hills to looks for someone. A strong wind progresses and rain teems down. Jeremy stops for a moment as he breathes a deep sigh, unable to carry on through the rain and the wind.

IONA
“Looking for someone, Mr. MacDonald? I hope it’s me you’re after! For I shall be disappointed if it isn’t!”

Jeremy turns to see a feisty young woman named Iona Mackintosh behind him.

JEREMY(startled) “Iona! Fancy meeting you up here! In the rain and the wind!”

IONA
“I know where to find you, big boy!”

Jeremy makes his way over to Iona and they both hug each other.

JEREMY
“What are you doing up here? I thought we were meeting at Laggan Loch?”

IONA
“I had to dodge my parents in Laggan village to avoid being noticed! I didn’t want them knowing!”

JEREMY
“What? Don’t tell me they know about us already?”

IONA
“No! Father has been asking questions but they’re just suspicions!”

JEREMY
“Well, it’s a good thing you weren’t followed! If my father were up here, he would accuse you of hiking!”

IONA
“It’s so good to see you again, Jeremy!”

Jeremy and Iona kiss each other, whilst the rain pours down on them.

JEREMY
“It’s good to see you too, Iona! But we really need to get out of this rain! Scottish or no, it’s no place to have a conversation!”

IONA
“I was hoping to go into Laggan on my own, but my father and mother would insist they’d come along too! I’m glad I gave them the slip when I did!”

JEREMY(hushes) “Ssh! Did you hear that?”

IONA
“What?”

JEREMY(hushes) “Ssh! Listen!”

Jeremy and Iona listen, as they hear muskets being fired and swords’ blades clashing against each other. The sounds become louder and nearer.

IONA(realises) “Oh no! It’s the sound of a battle! And we’re close to it!”

JEREMY(shocked) “I thought battles never occurred at the falls of Glomach!”

IONA
“Something has gone wrong with this whole arrangement!”

Jeremy and Iona listen carefully, as they hear soldiers charging and howling with swords raised and muskets fired.